Hey folks. Question: do those of you with the watermate system...
How does one integrate liquid fertilizer into the irrigation system from a separate tank? Is it even possible?
Some things to consider in my context: my main water tank feeds from rainwater gutters so the volume changes each time it rains ( so fertiliser can't go into the main tank ).
I have a variety of plants growing, but the tomatoes and pepper plants could really benefit with a feed once or twice per week.
I thought perhaps a solution was to buy a second pump and water tank and put it on a timer and let it act as its own zone, but still running off the main control unit. But not sure if that's even possible.
Anyone considered this kind of set up before and is the watermate system compatible?
An in-line fertiliser dispenser might do the trick; you could add it after the water valve for the zone you want to fertilise and then every couple of weeks you just add the quantity of fertiliser you want it to dispense. Then just run it empty when you’re not fertilising so you don’t have to faff about adding or removing anything.
Depending how your zone’s set up you could even add it strategically into the main distribution pipe for that particular zone so you didn’t have to fertilise the whole zone if you didn’t want, but could fertilise a specific section
There are some available for £20 suitable for micro-irrigation systems - but I don’t want to name other brands on your forum : ) ( if you Google “online fertiliser dispenser”a few options come up.
You just add them inline and they have the same size connections as the main distribution pipe so should work well with the watermate system
My understanding of the Gardena ones ( I've not used them personally though ) are that they won't last more than one or two irrigation cycles at most, and there is no regulation; the water just gets what you put into the feeder. So you'd have to fill it every day or two ... or be OK with a more intense feed once a week. Would be interested to hear if anyone has tried one with a Watermate.
Yeah, I’ve not used one myself either and looking at them I can see they might be a bit crude and dump the lot a bit quick. Could be ok if you just want to add a dose to your tomatoes every couple of weeks but probably less good for a more continuous or tailored feed.
It’s a bit harder nowadays because they’ve changed the design, but you used to be able to adapt the old Miracle-Gro feeders inline, and they dispense a little more continuously. Because the irrigation cycles are quite short, theoretically it could fertilise for some time before needing a refill, and they handle granular or liquid. Not sure how it would affect the pressure though, or how well they work not off mains pressure? ( Though have to say I’ve been impressed with the pump on the watermate mini, it does give a decent output so might not be too much of an issue )
There are similar models with the same principle design available online that look a bit more adaptable; may be possible to unscrew the spray outlet and attach to that, or it might need a hacksaw and jubilee clip, but I can’t tell without buying.
I’ve actually got an old one my dad converted about 20yrs ago that I’ve kept for posterity. I’ll dig it out and as long as it’s not blown to bits after all these years I’ll have a go at plumbing it in and see if/how it works.
There's also a "venturi" based flow system ( link ) which sucks in liquid from a side pipe while the main flow goes through the primary pipe ... the thing you have to watch out for is the pump just pushing irrigation water back into the nutrient tank. If anyone would like to experiment with various setups, let us know and we can send you some spare 1-way check valves we have.
Hi Chris, glad I found this thread. Tried to fashion up my own one way Venturi system but pressure was too high and just back flowed up the feed system. Are your 1 way check valves for the 13mm or 4mm fittings? Currently trying to use the 13mm pipe on one of the tiers in the Yard greenhouse.
Our spares are neither 4mm or 13mm unfortunately, they came supplied from factory with our orange pumps but are a little small ... might work OK with a jubilee clip on 12 or 13mm ID flexible pipe though.
I’ve been using Iceline pipe to supply the unit as it’s in quite an exposed location and that runs pretty tight internally could probably make it work with that.
Hi, been reading the chat for dosing and came across a low cost dosing pump on ebay and just wondered with a timer and the spare 12 Volt auxiliary port would it give you the results you may be looking for.
Hi Paul - yes that's the kind of thing which the mains WaterMate control units could certainly support on the aux ports. Some of the older solar watermates with the extra aux port would also work with this, but the new solar units don't have the aux port.
We'd like to find a way to reintroduce the aux port on solar units, perhaps on next years model. In the meantime, if you have a suitable 12v output ( mains units ) then give it a go!
ChrisT, is there any solution with your kit that can make it possible to have a second pump which feeds into the irrigation system, and can be timed to activate pump 2-3 times per week?
Hey folks. Question: do those of you with the watermate system...
How does one integrate liquid fertilizer into the irrigation system from a separate tank? Is it even possible?
Some things to consider in my context: my main water tank feeds from rainwater gutters so the volume changes each time it rains ( so fertiliser can't go into the main tank ).
I have a variety of plants growing, but the tomatoes and pepper plants could really benefit with a feed once or twice per week.
I thought perhaps a solution was to buy a second pump and water tank and put it on a timer and let it act as its own zone, but still running off the main control unit. But not sure if that's even possible.
Anyone considered this kind of set up before and is the watermate system compatible?
Thanks
Depending how your zone’s set up you could even add it strategically into the main distribution pipe for that particular zone so you didn’t have to fertilise the whole zone if you didn’t want, but could fertilise a specific section
You just add them inline and they have the same size connections as the main distribution pipe so should work well with the watermate system
It’s a bit harder nowadays because they’ve changed the design, but you used to be able to adapt the old Miracle-Gro feeders inline, and they dispense a little more continuously. Because the irrigation cycles are quite short, theoretically it could fertilise for some time before needing a refill, and they handle granular or liquid. Not sure how it would affect the pressure though, or how well they work not off mains pressure? ( Though have to say I’ve been impressed with the pump on the watermate mini, it does give a decent output so might not be too much of an issue )
There are similar models with the same principle design available online that look a bit more adaptable; may be possible to unscrew the spray outlet and attach to that, or it might need a hacksaw and jubilee clip, but I can’t tell without buying.
I’ve actually got an old one my dad converted about 20yrs ago that I’ve kept for posterity. I’ll dig it out and as long as it’s not blown to bits after all these years I’ll have a go at plumbing it in and see if/how it works.
We'd like to find a way to reintroduce the aux port on solar units, perhaps on next years model. In the meantime, if you have a suitable 12v output ( mains units ) then give it a go!
Here's the link to the item: link